Pressure producing means



L. L. J. PROMPT PRESSURE PRODUCING MEANS Filed June 24, 1.929 5 Sheets-Sheet l l Lucien Lours IOSEPIW PFOmpJc,

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July 12, 1 932- L.. J. PROMPT PRESSURE PRODUQING MEANS Filed June 24. 1929 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 mvENToR;

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PRES SURE PRODUC ING MEANS Filed June 24,l 1929 3 sheets-sheet s Egg-5 ,Lucian Lous Joseph Prompj INVENToQf By MWL tioruey Patented July 12, 1932 Unirse STATES LUCIEN LOUIS JOSEPH PROMPT, 0F COLOMBES, FRANCE PRESSURE PRGDUGING' MEANS Application ed June 24, 1929, Serial No. 373,432, and in ,France July 4, 1928.

The present invention relates to pressure producing means and has essentially for its object toprovide a device adapted to exercise a uniform and simultaneous pressure at several points of a given surface, Whereas the pressing effort is locally applied.

The said apparatus is chiefly characterized by the fact that it comprises a row of balls, rollers or the like, in contact with one another, which are parallel with the surface to be pressed and are guided in a direction parallel with said surface and certain of the said elements, regularly spaced, are set out with reference to the others in the direction of the pressing` movement to be produced, and are in contact with the movable pressing member, a suitable controlling element being employed to bring said elements into'mutual contact for pressing purposes.

Further characteristics of the invention will be specified in the following description.

In the accompanying drawings, which is given solely by way of example, Figs. 1 and 2 represent an application of the pressure producing means according to the invention, and Figs. 6` and 7 show another particular application of said pressure means for the endto-end coupling of hoses.

Fig. l shows a vertical section on theline iii-C of Fig. 2.

Fig. 2 is a horizontal section on the line D-D of Fig. l.

Fig. 3 is a diametrical lengthwise section of a coupling device according to the invention.

Fig. 4 is a bottom view of the same.

F ig. 5 is a horizontal section on the line of Fig. 3.

Fig. 6 is a bottom view of a modification of the securing casing in which is slidable the coupling member mounted on one of the pieces of hose.

Fig. 7 is a topview of the corresponding coupling member, mounted on the other piece of hose.

Fig. 8 is an elevational view of a modification of the coupling device.

Fig. 9 is a plan view of the lower half of the device shown in Fig. 8.

In the embodiment illustrated in Figs. l

and 2, the pressure `producing means according to .the invention' is used to exercise a pressure uniformly distributed upon the circumference of a disk-shaped packing member or diaphragm l interposed in a conduit A as a fluid-tight partition adapted to burst when the pressure prevailing in the conduit on one of its faces exceeds a ypredetermined value. In practice,`arrangements of this kind are used for instance for the cleaning of boilers. The use .of the pressure producing means accordingto the invention allows of a rapid removal nof the diaphragm. The diaphragm l is disposed between two blocks 2 and 3. Upon the block 2 is caused to bear, Vagainst the pressure of reaction springs 1l, a flanged sleeve 5 which is vertically slidable in two upper superposed members 6 and 7, themember7 .resting upon .the lower block 3. The members2 and 5 are provided with bores extending throughoutand coaxial with the conduit A. The members 3, G and 7 are rigidly connected together and with flanges Al-Az of the conduit A by means of'bolts B.

In the plane of their Contact surface 8, the members 6-7 are provided with respective annular grooves 9-9a, and these when super posed will form an annular recess in which balls 10 ,are movable.

The lower member 7 is pierced at suitable points, and in coincidence with said groove 9a, with curvedapertures 11 (Fig. l) in which are movable, according to a circular arc, respective balls l2 whose radius is optionallythe same asthat of theballs 10, and said balls 12 rest ,upon the slidable member 5. The verticaldimensions of themem-bers and 7 are such that in the idle position, the vertical distance Z between the centres Aof the balls 1'0 and l2 is less than the sum of the radii, so that the motion of the upper balls 10 in the said recess 9-9a is limited, since the said balls make `Contact with the lower balls 12.

The lower balls l2-l2L-12b-12C-12d- 12e are distributed uniformly about the circle whose centreis O (Fig. 2) andl they divide the balls 10 into various sets `whereof each comprises acertain number vof balls (three in the ,present example). The left hand set (Fig. comprises only two'balls l()a and Gil 10b, between which is engaged the head 18, of spherical, ovoid or other form, of a screw 14 having a square or hexagonal outer end 15, on which may be mounted a lever, hand wheel or other controlling member.

The operation is as follows:

The motion of the said screw 14 in the direction of the arrow (Figg 2) tends to force apart the balls 1()a and 10b, and due to its special form, the head 13 exercises a lateral pressure thereon; the said balls bear against the member 6 and against the walls of the slot 9 9, thus pushing the balls 12-12e both downwardly and laterally, and these latter are thus brought against the balls 10--10d of the two succeeding upper sets. The balls 10c-10d will in turn push the following balls, and so on, as far as the ball 10e which will not be moved.V

In this manner the lower balls will receive a downward thrust which they impart to the member 5 which thus presses the disk 1 between' the blocks 2 and 3. The load applied by thel screw 14 upon the balls 1()a and 10b will thus be entirely distributed upon all of the lower balls, since each of these balls can only press upon the member 5 by using as a fulcrum the adjacent lower ball 12, through the medium of the upper balls l() of the set which connects them together. The motion thus produced between the lower balls 12 is entirely of a differential nature, and it assures the integral and automatic distribution of the pressure of the screw upon all points of the disk 1.

Obviously, the invention is not limited to the form of construction herein described and represented, which is given solely by way of example. rl `he apparatus may be placed in any position, whether vertically or horizontally, etc. The screw 14 may be disposed vertically or in any other position, and it may be replaced by a ball and a pressure rod or stud, or byva pressure rod alone, which is subject to suitable control such as mechanical, electrical, pneumatic or hydraulic. In a more general manner, it may be replaced by a member of any suitable form adapted to separate the balls 102L and 10b.

The ball 10b may be made stationary, and the pressure Vof the screw may be brought solely upon the ball 10a (or inversely) the axis of the screw being substantially on a line tangent to the circumference and passing i through theaxis of the balls 10a, 10b, 10C

10d,etc.

The number and diameter of the balls is variable within wide limits, according to the use of the apparatus, as well as their distribution anddisposition with reference to the surface to be pressed. For example, the balls 12, cooperating with the balls 11, need not be superposed upon the latter, but may be disposed in a concentric circular row either in the interior or at the exterior, and herein the pressure 'will be exercised radially, towards or from the centre, upon a cylindrical surface, for example. The intermediate balls or rollers may be replaced by other suitable connecting means. rlhe surface to be pressed is not necessarily circular, but may have any other form such as rectangular, and it may be either plane or curved (for example the above mentioned cylindrical surface).

The balls may be replaced by rollers of suitable form, for instance of a tapered shape. j

The apparatus may also be movable and for instance rotatable, as in the case of a friction clutch.

By way of example, the following description relates to a coupling device for the rapid end-to-end coupling of the pipes employed for various operations such as pumping, irrigation, exhaustion Vor drainage, etc., and chiefly for the coupling of fire hose.

In the form of construction shown in Figs. 3 to 5, the two pieces of hose 20-21 to be coupled are provided with the coupling ends 22-23, toothed in the known manner at 24 so that they may be properly secured to the hose, said coupling ends being flanged respectively at 16 and 17. The flange 16 is somewhat larger in diameter than the flange 17, and it carries a packing ring 2a; said flange 1G is slidable lengthwise in a metallic casing which consists of the members 6 and 3, screwed together by a thread 25 and holding between them a flat ring 7, thus forming withA the inner end 62L of the member 6 a circular recess or housing 9 containing balls 10 (or rollers) having vthe Vaforesaid disposition.

The member 3, which forms with the member 6 the said casing of the device, has a semicircular flange 3a which is open at 3b for the insertion of the coupling member 23 which is slidable by means of its flanged end 17.

It should be observed that this connection known per se, is given solely by way of example, and'it may be replaced by analogous means, and chiefly by a bayonet joint as shown in Figs. 6 and 7, and herein the flange 17 comprises tenons lu which may be engaged below the projections 3a of the member 3 by a suitable rotation.

The operation is as follows :r

The screw 14 being unscrewed, the flange 16, upon which the casing 5 6 has been placed, is pushed towards the end 6a so that the flange 17 of the member 23 may be inserted either laterally or by rotation, and when the saidY flange is in position, the screw 14 is screwed down. The wedge 13 separates the upper balls 10, and these, through the medium of the lower balls 12, press uniformly upon the flange 16 which is thus pressed upon the flange 17, maintained by the flanged parts 3a. The device is made leakless by the packing 2a.

lao

The coupling is released by unscrewing the screw 14. y

Figs. 8 and 9 show a modification in which the casing consists of two identical members 6 6n which are assembled for instance by the tenons 26-263. Each member contains a respective set of balls 1012, 10a-12s, adapted to bear against respective flanges (not shown) of the coupling members 22-23. The balls may be controlled as shown in Fig. 3, but it is possible to employ the arrangement shown in Fig. 8 in which the balls are separated by two cams 27-27L which are keyed to respective axes 28---28EL provided with operating levers 259-29, said levers being respectively terminated by a hook 30- 301 by which they may be held in the position of pressur The pressure is exercised lirst upon one of the devices and then upon the other, and for the first device the movement is continued beyond the delinite position, so that the lever can be moved aside to allow the second device to be operated. vWhen the two levers are left free, they will return slightly to the rear and will be held fast by hooking together.

Obviously, the said invention is not limited to the forms of construction herein described and represented, which are given solely by way of example.

Having now described my invention what l claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent is:

l. A coupling device for the end-to-end coupling of two tubular members, comprising a cylind 1ical casing slidably mounted on the coupling end of one of said members, a portion of said casing having an inner diameter greater than the outer diameter of said coupling end and delining therewith an annular chamber, a second casing slidably mounted on the coupling end of the other tubular member and engaging a flange on said other member, means for securing together both casings, a plate provided with regularly spaced apart and circumferentially elongated apertures securely held between said casings and slidably mounted on the lirst mentioned coupling end, a plurality of rolling members disposed in said annular chamber etween the end ol' the corresponding casing and the partition plate, some of said rolling members being adapted to pass through the apertures of said plate for bearing upon a iiange of the corresponding coupling end, and means adapted to be operated at will for pressing together said rolling members, whereby the set out rolling members are axially displaced and both ends of the tubular members are pressed against each other.

2. In a pressure producing contrivance comprising balls arranged in a row within a housing the surfaces of which in contact with the balls allow the latter to roll and means for pressing the balls together, an apertured housing the apertures ot which are elongated and of such a shape that but one ball can project at a time through one aperture beyond the external wall of the housing and be moved longitudinally of the row.

3. ln a pressure producing contrivance as claimed in claim 2, a housing having equally spaced apertures.

4l. In a pressure producing contrivance as claimed in claim 2, a ring-sha} 3ed housing for the balls and apertures provided in the housing according to directions substantially perpendicular to the plane of the ring.

5. ln a pressure producing contrivance comprising rolling members arranged in a row within a housing the surfaces oit' which in contact with the rolling members allow the latter to roll and means for pressing the rolling members together, an apertured housing the apertures of which are elongated and of such a shape that but one rolling member can project at a time thro-ugh one aperture bevond the external wall of the housing and be moved longitudinally of the row.

(5. A coupling device for the quick end-to end coupling of two tubular members such as two sections of tire-hoses, comprising a casing slidably carried bv one of said members, a flange at the coupling end of said member, a plurality oi rollingl members disposed in a circular row within said casing shaped to form a rolling housing for said rolling mem bers, said housing provided with regularly spaced apart and circumierentially elongated apertures through which some or the rolling l`- members will project beyond the housing wall and bear on said flange, means for the quick end-to-end connection of said casing with the other tubular member and means adapted to be operated at will ior pressing together said rolling members, whereby the tubular members will be pressed together end-to-end.

7. A coupling device for the quick end-to` end coupling of two tubular members such as two sections of lire-hoses, comp ising two casings respectively carried and slidable on said members, a flange at the coupling end of each member, a plurality of rolling members disposed in a circular row withineach of said casing shaped to form a rolling housing for said rolling members, said housing provided with regularly spaced apart and circumferenially elongated apertures through which some oi the rolling members will project beyond the housing wall and bear on the adjacent flange, means for the quick endtoend connection of said casings together and each casing provided with means adapted to be operated at will Jfor pressing together the corresponding rolling members, whereby the tubular members will be pressed together endto-end.

8. A coupling device, as claimed in claim 7, wherein each casing is provided with manually operable means for pressing together the rolling members, including a rotatable cam provided between two adjacent rolling members to press them apart and a hook rotatable with said cam and located outside the casing, both said hooks being` located for mutual locking engagement in the clamping position.

In testimony whereof I have signed my name to this specification. l0 LUOIEN LOUIS JOSEPH PROMPT. 

